"Damn it, just standing here isn't going to solve anything. I'll sneak out and steal us another car."
Seeing Arthur lost in thought, Jackie couldn't help blurting it out.
Arthur pressed his palms down, signaling the big guy to stay calm. His eyes remained fixed on the far end of the corridor.
"A group of people... fighting with Arasaka..."
He muttered it once, then gave a small nod and turned to Jackie.
"We'll go take a look at who they are. Best to approach quietly."
Arthur started walking straight toward the corridor's end.
This Arasaka factory seemed built like a compact industrial complex.
It wasn't as large as Biotechnica's CHOOH2 plant, but the buildings here were tightly packed, odd-shaped workshops linked by broad concrete roads.
The workshop they were in sat near the center of the complex.
By now, the gunfire in the distance had thinned out, and an Arasaka convoy sat motionless in the direction of the fighting.
Arthur and the others didn't bother to conceal themselves. Clearly, the battle had just ended, and whichever side had won would be on edge.
To avoid being mistaken for enemies, they approached slowly.
The outcome was obvious—the victors weren't Arasaka. Even before they got close, the group spotted them, dozens of gun barrels instantly swinging in their direction.
Luckily, Arthur's team had stayed near cover, ready to dive for it at a moment's notice, so the situation wasn't immediately dangerous.
"Who are you? This is a corporate operation. State your purpose now."
The voice boomed out, metallic and synthetic, carrying clearly across to them.
Perhaps because they weren't wearing Arasaka uniforms, the victors gave them a chance to speak.
From among the wall of gun barrels, a figure in black combat fatigues strode briskly forward.
It was a tall woman. Her face was mostly hidden behind tactical gear, but she looked young.
"Talk. Who are you, and why are you here?
And most importantly—where did Arasaka deliver the goods? Answer, and maybe we'll let you live."
The questions came in a sharp barrage, her haughty demeanor unmistakably corporate.
Arthur had seen this kind of posturing before. He didn't mind it much.
He spread his hands wide to show he wasn't a threat, then said,
"I've only got one question... Which company are you with?
Surely that's not too much to ask, is it?"
"Militech."
The answer came fast and firm, cutting off his words.
The woman folded her arms, her wary gaze locked onto the three of them.
"Now it's my turn. Don't play games."
Since she claimed Militech and had no reason to lie, Arthur decided to answer first.
"We came to extract someone. Nothing else."
Then he added,
"Can I make a call?"
If they drove out in an Arasaka vehicle, it'd count as stolen. With David injured, they'd never clear border checks. At best, they'd get gouged; at worst, they wouldn't make it through at all.
But a Militech vehicle—that was different. That would count as borrowed, legitimate.
The instant Arthur spoke, the woman's whole body tensed, her voice snapping into a sharp warning.
"What are you trying to pull? Don't even think about it!"
Her arms dropped from her chest, ready to draw her gun at any second.
Given the world they lived in, her reaction wasn't paranoia. Guns and knives weren't the only ways to kill.
"Hey... easy now."
Arthur lifted his hands, speaking low and steady.
"Just making a call..."
The woman hesitated, then stepped back and gestured for him to go ahead.
In these Badlands, corporations had grown more patient than in the cities. A curious thing, really.
Arthur didn't hesitate any longer. He dialed a number.
"Oh? My Arthur, calling me of his own accord?
Now that is unusual."
A sharp voice came through, tinged with lazy amusement.
Ever since she'd eliminated her greatest rival, Meredith had been enjoying an easier life—almost idle, by her standards.
"I'm in the Badlands. Ran into some Militech people...
Think you can pull some strings?"
At those words, Meredith's tone instantly sharpened.
"Where are you exactly? That half-abandoned Arasaka plant?"
"Good... looks like you can pull some strings."
Arthur glanced up at the woman across from him.
"Mind telling me your name?"
"Bettina. And what the hell are you trying to pull?"
But Arthur's focus was already back on the voice in his head, ignoring her.
Meredith clearly understood the situation now. Her tone turned serious.
"What are you doing at that factory?"
"A friend of mine got captured by Arasaka and dragged here. I came to break him out."
Arthur gave a brief rundown.
Meredith didn't miss a beat before asking her next question.
"Word is that place is holding some Arasaka Cyberware. What's its status?"
Arthur frowned. This time, he didn't answer directly, choosing instead to finish his own point.
"My friend's hurt, and our ride's shot..."
"Damn it... You should head ba—ah, forget it. My people will help load your friend into a vehicle.
For now, just answer my question."
At her commanding tone, Arthur only shrugged, the corner of his mouth curling faintly.
"Oh, of course I'll play along.
That thing's called Cyberware Titan. Arasaka was trying to run some bullshit experiment on my friend.
It didn't work. He's fine now."
Meredith's efficiency hadn't changed. The woman in front of Arthur gave him a strange look, then led several of her people toward the workshop behind him.
"They say... it's some kind of ultimate weapon?"
Her tone was calmer now, almost casual.
"But one of our Ripperdocs called it the 'digger' of the Cyberware world.
Which means... it's got plenty of raw power."
...
(70 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser